William D. Parker, DDS, NNMPA
Periodontics
Santa Fe, NM
505-988-8822
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  • PATIENT INFORMATION
    • Introduction
    • First Visit
    • Scheduling
    • Financial Policy
    • FAQ
    • Insurance
    • Patient Registration
    • Surgical Instructions
      • Pre-operative Instructions
      • Post-operative Instructions
  • PERIODONTAL DISEASE
    • About Periodontal Disease
    • The Mouth-Body Connection
    • Preventing Gum Disease
    • Oral Hygiene
    • When to See a Periodontist?
    • Women and Periodontal Health
    • Arestin
  • SERVICES
    • Dental Implant Options
      • Dental Implants
    • Treatment Methods
    • Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)
    • Scaling and Root Planing
    • Bone Grafting
      • Overview
      • Jawbone Health
      • Jawbone Loss and Deterioration
      • About Bone Grafting
      • Ridge Augmentation
      • Sinus Augmentation
      • Socket Preservation
    • Bite Adjustment
    • Reduction Surgery
      • Osseous Surgery
      • Gingivectomy
      • Frenectomy
    • Gum Grafting
    • Crown Lengthening
    • Guided Bone and Tissue Regeneration
    • Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery
    • Oral Cancer Exam
  • REFERRING DOCTORS
    • Referral Form
    • Links of Interest
  • MEET US
    • Meet Us
  • CONTACT US
    • Santa Fe
    • Los Alamos

SERVICES

  • Dental Implant Options
    • Dental Implants
  • Treatment Methods
  • Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)
  • Scaling and Root Planing
  • Bone Grafting
    • Overview
    • Jawbone Health
    • Jawbone Loss and Deterioration
    • About Bone Grafting
    • Ridge Augmentation
    • Sinus Augmentation
    • Socket Preservation
  • Bite Adjustment
  • Reduction Surgery
    • Osseous Surgery
    • Gingivectomy
    • Frenectomy
  • Gum Grafting
  • Crown Lengthening
  • Guided Bone and Tissue Regeneration
  • Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery
  • Oral Cancer Exam

The Importance of Teeth for Jaw Bone Health

When one or more teeth are missing, it can lead to jawbone loss at the site of the gap. This loss of jawbone can develop into additional problems, both with your appearance and your overall health. You may experience pain, problems with your remaining teeth, and altered facial appearance, and eventually even the inability to speak and eat normally.

In that same way that muscles are maintained through exercise, bone tissue is maintained by use. Natural teeth are embedded in the jawbone, and stimulate the jawbone through activities such as chewing and biting. When teeth are missing, the alveolar bone, or the portion of the jawbone that anchors the teeth in the mouth, no longer receives the necessary stimulation, and begins to break down, or resorb. The body no longer uses or “needs” the jawbone, so it deteriorates and goes away.

Potential Consequences of Tooth and Jawbone Loss

  • Problems with remaining teeth, including, misalignment, drifting, loosening and loss
  • Collapsed facial profile
  • Limited lip support
  • Skin wrinkling around the mouth
  • Distortion of other facial features
  • Jaw (temporomandibular joint [TMJ]) pain, facial pain, and headaches
  • Difficulty speaking and communicating
  • Inadequate nutrition as a result of the inability to chew properly and painlessly
  • Sinus expansion

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Santa Fe Address: 2100 Calle de la Vuelta, Suite E-101 • Santa Fe, NM 87505 • Phone: 505-988-8822
Los Alamos Address: 2610 Trinity Drive, Suite 11 • Los Alamos, NM 87544 • Phone: 505-662-2754


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